This meat has been ranked eighth in a list of the world’s 100 healthiest foods, with a nutritional score of 73 out of 100 – outperforming peas, tomatoes, oranges and sweet potato.
12:08, 20 Jan 2026Updated 12:09, 20 Jan 2026
This meat is strangely healthy(Image: luoman via Getty Images)
We all know that fruit and vegetables are lauded for their health benefits, but there’s one animal product that’s been praised as healthier than many green foods.
In a ranking of the world’s 100 healthiest foods, pork fat secured the eighth spot for its nutritional value.
With a nutritional score of 73 out of 100, pork fat, better known as lard, outperformed 92 other foods, including peas, red cabbage, tomatoes, mackerel, lettuce, oranges and sweet potato.
According to BBC Future, pork fat is a rich source of B vitamins and minerals. It’s also more unsaturated and healthier than lamb or beef fat.
Pork fat was 8th on the list(Image: )
Lard contains monounsaturated fats like oleic acid – also found in olive oil – which are beneficial for heart health. It also has some saturated fats, which are fine in moderate amounts.
However, it’s important to consider how the pigs were raised to fully benefit from the nutritional advantages. Lard provides fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamin D, especially if the pigs were raised outdoors.
Moreover, pasture-raised pork fat tends to be healthier due to superior nutrient content.
So, don’t always feel guilty when indulging in pork fat or lard. However, as with everything, moderation is key.
Interestingly, no other animal fat or meat made the list.
Instead, quite a few fish made the cut with Ocean Perch being the top healthiest fish to eat. It came in at number three on a list of the most nutritious foods you can eat, scoring 89 out of 100.
Pork fat is surprisingly healthy(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
According to Facts.net, 100g of this fish contains a mere 79 calories but packs in around 20 grams of protein. Also known as rockfish, this deep-water dweller is low in saturated fats.
But the perks don’t end there. The fish is also renowned for:
- Vitamin B12, crucial for nerve health and red blood cell production
- Vitamin D, aiding calcium absorption and bone health
- Selenium, a powerful antioxidant
- Phosphorus, promoting healthy bones and energy metabolism
Top 20 healthiest foods
- Almonds
- Cherimoya
- Ocean perch
- Flatfish
- Chia seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Swiss chard
- Pork fat
- Beet greens
- Snapper
- Dried parsley
- Celery flakes
- Watercress
- Tangerines
- Green peas
- Pike
- Alaska pollock
- Green onion
- Red cabbage
- Pacific cod